It was Saturday evening and Melissa was all dressed up in a lavender dress with a high neckline. She had her white belt tied around her middle. She had her white boots polished and her white petticoat on underneath.

As Melissa came down the stairs, she watched her descend and thought that her little sister was growing like a weed and looking more like a young lady than a kid every day. "And where might you be off to?" She inquired because she knew Melissa hadn't just dressed up to roam the halls.

"I'm having supper in town tonight." Melissa replied as she stopped in front of Jacy.

"Oh!" Her left eyebrow arched. "And who might ya be having supper with? Would it . . . could it be a young lad by the name of Michael?" A grin developed on her face as she teased Melissa. Although she would never tell Melissa this, she was secretly glad that Melissa liked Michael. He was a distraction for Melissa, and he kept Melissa out of her hair.

Melissa hated being teased by Jacy. Jacy had never teased her about Michael before she had left Dreamville, but ever since she had been back, that's all she did when Melissa told her that she was doing something with Michael. She wondered if it had anything to do with Cody. She didn't seem to like him any more, but she couldn't figure out why, and Jacy would just shrug it off whenever Melissa asked her about him.

She could tell by Melissa's facial expression that something was amiss. "Alright out with it. You know I know when something's going on with you. Oh wait don't tell me. Let me guess, you're finally doing it. You and your little boyfriend are running off to get married." She shook her head. "Don't you think you should wear a white dress though?"

"I'm not getting married. I'm not even having supper with Michael tonight." Melissa replied as she stormed by Jacy.

"You're not. Then who are you having supper with?" She watched Melissa walking towards the door intending to stop her if she had to.

"I'm having supper with a friend who just got into town this week." With no further explanation Melissa continued walking. She went outside, led the horse and buggy from the side of the house to the front, climbed aboard, and took off for town.

She was totally mystified. Who could Melissa be having supper with? It must be somebody whom they knew because Melissa had said a friend. She was too curious to stick around the house. She had to know who Melissa was having supper with.

Taking off the bandage on her foot, she then proceeded to put her boots on. She hated wearing a bandage especially since there wasn't anything wrong with her foot, but she couldn't let anybody see her without it, not yet anyway. She figured she could take it off by the end of next week and no one would be the wiser. A smile played across her face as she remembered the doctor in Broken Bow. All she had to do is show him a little cleavage and flirt tremendously, and then she had him in the palm of her hand. He agreed to go along with her fake ankle routine, but only if she promised to have supper with him one night soon. She didn't like the arrangement much, but she figured she could put up with him for one supper.

Grabbing her coat she headed out the door, ran to the barn, quickly saddled Justice, and rode into town. There she hid Justice right outside of town behind some trees. She then sneaked into town. It was fairly dark, and she knew that those in town would be home relaxing, at the bordello, at the saloon, or eating at the Silver Spoon or the hotel. There wouldn't be much traffic on the streets unless there were lots of travelers stopping by. She could keep to the shadows and hopefully no one would spot her.

The street was empty just like she had predicted. There was a light on in most of the establishments, but all the doors were shut except for the saloon. She quickly glanced over at the jailhouse and after a few minutes of seeing no one stirring around there or on the street, she decided to take a chance. She ran over to the other side of the street to the alley between the restaurant and the boutique. She pressed herself up against the Silver Spoon building and peered around the corner. She looked right and left, and since there was no one around, she crept up to the Silver Spoon window and peeked inside. There was Melissa and ---. She almost fell backwards and her mouth went wide with astonishment as she saw who Melissa was having supper with.

Melissa arrived in town just as Jake was coming out of the hotel. "Aw my fair lady, you're as lovely as the sparkling stars above." He helped her down from the buggy and kissed her hand. "Aw! I'll be the envy of all the men tonight . . . having the most beautiful girl as my date." Melissa's face lit up from his compliments.

Jake held out his arm which Melissa took, and he escorted her over to the Silver Spoon. He opened the door, and as Melissa walked inside, he thought she has all the right curves in all the right places. He followed her inside and resisted the temptation to put his hands on her petite derri�re.

Jake led Melissa to the middle of the room and held out a chair for her. Melissa was very nervous. She had never been on a date with a man before. It was nervous but also exciting. She felt grown up. Jake made her feel wonderful about herself . . . whereas Jacy didn't. With Melissa's approval Jake ordered supper for the both of them.